The Lake Champlain Basin Program is pleased to offer a total of $10,000 for small awards of up to $2,000 for bicycle-friendly enhancements along existing roadways of the Lake Champlain Bikeways network in Vermont and New York. Potential projects include bicycle racks, benches, picnic tables, restrooms, and water spigots or fountains; natural, cultural, or historic interpretative signs especially designed to serve bicyclists; and brochures, maps, and guidebooks informing cyclists about routes of the Lake Champlain Bikeways network.

All projects must occur along roadways of the Lake Champlain Bikeways (LCB) network, whick includes the LCB principal route, as well as bicycle loops off of the principal route. The geographic area of the LCB network includes counties adjacent to Lake Champlain (Clinton, Essex, and Washington in New York, and Grand Isle, Franklin, Chittenden, Addison, and Rutland in Vermont). Applicants should request a map of enable roadways (please specify your town, county, and state when making a request).

Eligible applicants include municipalities, 501(c)3 charitable organizations, and other non-profit organizations. Informal citizens groups and private businesses may also apply under the auspices of one of the groups mentioned above. State agencies may be project partners, but may not directly receive an award. Funding is made available through the LCBP with funds provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Recipients must provide a 25% match in the form of cash or in-kind services.

Lake Champlain Bikeways is a public/private initiative as part of the Lake Champlain Basin Program which aims to create and promote a network of interconnected, international bicycle routes around Lake Champlain and the Upper Richelieu Valley of Quebec.

To receive an application contact Maja Smith, LCBP Recreation Coordinator, at (518) 597-4464,or visit the LCBP web site at http://www.Icbp.org/grants.htm. Applications must be postmarked by June 1, 1999.